About Me

I have always been an avid reader and history has always been a passion of mine. I am a huge historical fiction fan, who also enjoys reading gothic tales with chills and thrills, mystery and suspense and who loves stepping back in time.....
A quote I once read stated:
I don't live in the past..the past lives in me!.. Perhaps that's why I am a Family History/Genealogy Addict too!

Sunday, 17 February 2013

Diana Norman aka Ariana Franklin

Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (9 July 1992)My Rating: 5 out of 5

This was the first, of the many excellent Historical Novels written by Diana Norman which I have read. Diana's ability to mixed real and fictitious characters effortlessly in the most believable, interesting and absorbing plots made her one of the best historical authors of the 20/21 centuries.

The Pirate Queen is based on the life of the 16th-century Irish pirate Grace O'Malley. The title of the book may seem a little fluffy, but the contents of this book is gripping and historically accurate. The plot was exciting, full of life, adventure and drama. The characters were well rounded and very believable. After reading this book I became so fascinated with Grace O'Malley that I read just about every book written about this Irish historical figure, whether the book were fiction or non-fiction novels and still, Diana Norman's novel was by far the best. This was the first of Diana Norman's books that I had read. and it was fantastic! I enjoyed it so much, that I have one copy for lending out to friends and one that I will keep forever. Since this book, I have read every historical fiction book that Diana Norman has ever written. They are hard to come by, but they are worth the hunt. Diana Norman has to be one of my top favourite authors. She also writes under the name of Ariana Franklin and these books are also fabulous too!

Diana Norman (aka Ariana Franklin) novels should not be missed!

- especially if you are a fan of historical fiction, 12 century history or Henry II as this author was.

I quote from Diana Norman's Obituary in the Guardian on Friday, February 4, 2011...."She became a specialist on the early Middle Ages, its justice, its climate, dress, food, habits, and crime. In fact, her first book, which dealt with the coming of the Common Law and the jury system under that great English kings, Henry II, received plaudits from university professors of history and won a BBC award for its accuracy and depiction of the twelfth century. Accuracy is important, Ariana believes. If a reader's paying you the compliment of buying your book, you've got to get it right."....

Historical fiction books written under Diana Norman

A Catch of Consequence

Taking Liberties

The Sparks Fly Upward

The Vizard Mask

The Morning Gift

The King of the Last Days

Daughter of Lir

The Pirate Queen

Blood Royal

Shores Of Darkness

Fitzempress' Law

Diana Norman also wrote Terrible Beauty: Life of Constance Markievicz, 1868–1927 (Biography) in 1987.

Books written under her pseudonym Ariana Franklin which are about Adelia Aguilar, a medical doctor and native of Sicily known as the Mistress of the Art of Death, who is an expert in the science of anatomy and the art of detection in the 12 century and who later becomes part of King Henry II service.

Mistress of the Art of Death

The Serpent's Tale

Grave Goods

A Murderous Procession

She also wrote City of Shadows, her first book under the pseudonym Ariana Franklin.

Fitzempress' Law (1980), set in the reign of Henry II, was the first of her historical fiction books.

A RIP IN THE VEIL - The Graham Saga

Books are a wonderful thing

My Dream Job!

Books can take you to magical places

One book at a time

CHARLES DICKENS

The man responsible for my love of History and the Victorian Era

...and proud of it!!

MY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE STRICTLY MY OWN

The reason I do book reviews is because of my love of books and my love of sharing my thoughts and opinions of the books I read with others. Please do remember, that these reviews are my own opinion and everyone has the right to their own opinion. As we know....

KINDLE

How are you read?

Historical fiction Ebooks

Past Time Books - Historical Fiction ebooks

English Heritage

Chapters Bookstore Strawberry Hill

My workplace and my home away from home

Historical Novel Society

What is the HNS? We are a literary society devoted to promoting the enjoyment of historical fiction. We are based in the USA and the UK but we welcome members (who can be readers or writers) from all round the world. Through our print magazines, conferences, website, social media and through the dynamism of our membership we help bring the excitement of these novels to the widest audience.